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Economic and Marketing INFORMATION
FOR
INDIANA
FARMERS
Lafayette, Indiana
February 23, 1950
Prepared by members of the Agricultural Staff of Purdue University
Poultry and Egg Outlook for 1950
by
R. L. KOHLS, Agricultural Economics
AS 1949 CAME to a close, deep clouds of gloom
surrounded many phases of the poultry business. The average prices which Indiana poultrymen
received for eggs in 1949 were down 5 percent from
1948; average chicken prices were down 10 percent, and average turkey prices were down about 3
percent. The greatest part of the price decline occurred during the latter part of 1949. (See chart.)
The beginning of 1950 saw the prices of all poultry
products in a weak and unsettled state. Now is the
time for new decisions. What are the prospects for
fhe year ahead?
Egg Prices Below 1949
We entered 1950 with about 6 percent more potential layers on farms than a year ago. This in-
leased laying flock had already begun to make it-
*e|r felt in the egg market during the last quarter of
^"- Egg production during October, November
and December was at record levels. The increase in
production plus a weakened general market picture
short the fall seasonal rise in prices and resulted
m a peak in September instead of in November as
usual.
Larger supplies plus an uncertainty concerning the
support price plans of the government resulted in a
demoralized egg market during December. Current
receipt prices on the Chicago market fell from about
40 cents in the latter part of November to 26 cents
in the latter part of December. In late December it
was announced that eggs would be supported to
reflect a national annual farm price average of 37
cents a dozen. The initial objective is to support a
farm price of 25 cents a dozen in the middlewest during January and February. This action may limit
somewhat the usual price decline v/hich occurs from
now until early summer. However, during the first
half of 1950, the pressure of record egg supplies
will hold prices markedly below the levels of last year.
Tentative estimates indicate that there will be fewer hens and pullets on farms at the beginning of
1951 than at the beginning of this year. In face of
this potential reduction in the laying flocks, egg prices
will probably show at least the average seasonal
strength during the latter part of 1950. However,
Indiana egg prices are not expected to average as
high in 1950 as during 1949.

Economic and Marketing INFORMATION
FOR
INDIANA
FARMERS
Lafayette, Indiana
February 23, 1950
Prepared by members of the Agricultural Staff of Purdue University
Poultry and Egg Outlook for 1950
by
R. L. KOHLS, Agricultural Economics
AS 1949 CAME to a close, deep clouds of gloom
surrounded many phases of the poultry business. The average prices which Indiana poultrymen
received for eggs in 1949 were down 5 percent from
1948; average chicken prices were down 10 percent, and average turkey prices were down about 3
percent. The greatest part of the price decline occurred during the latter part of 1949. (See chart.)
The beginning of 1950 saw the prices of all poultry
products in a weak and unsettled state. Now is the
time for new decisions. What are the prospects for
fhe year ahead?
Egg Prices Below 1949
We entered 1950 with about 6 percent more potential layers on farms than a year ago. This in-
leased laying flock had already begun to make it-
*e|r felt in the egg market during the last quarter of
^"- Egg production during October, November
and December was at record levels. The increase in
production plus a weakened general market picture
short the fall seasonal rise in prices and resulted
m a peak in September instead of in November as
usual.
Larger supplies plus an uncertainty concerning the
support price plans of the government resulted in a
demoralized egg market during December. Current
receipt prices on the Chicago market fell from about
40 cents in the latter part of November to 26 cents
in the latter part of December. In late December it
was announced that eggs would be supported to
reflect a national annual farm price average of 37
cents a dozen. The initial objective is to support a
farm price of 25 cents a dozen in the middlewest during January and February. This action may limit
somewhat the usual price decline v/hich occurs from
now until early summer. However, during the first
half of 1950, the pressure of record egg supplies
will hold prices markedly below the levels of last year.
Tentative estimates indicate that there will be fewer hens and pullets on farms at the beginning of
1951 than at the beginning of this year. In face of
this potential reduction in the laying flocks, egg prices
will probably show at least the average seasonal
strength during the latter part of 1950. However,
Indiana egg prices are not expected to average as
high in 1950 as during 1949.